The cost of this deployment is estimated by the government at $50 million. Pretty obviously, that's money they're not spending on housing and paid parental leave (or on health, education or public transport). So, Key is willing to throw money to the wind and endanger kiwi lives solely to toady up to the US.

Again, if any kiwi soldiers die on this deployment, the blood is squarely on John Key's hands. And we should hold him responsible in that eventuality.